Continuous feed tumbling mill



Sept. 19, 1950 N. RANSOHOFF CONTINUOUS FEED TUMBLING MILL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 6, 1947 N. RANSOHOFF CONTINUOUS FEED TUMBLING MILL Sept. 19, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 6, 1947 R m E M W k I No mm mm M mm IQQ "MMOO /M m@ N@ w m0 8 @N Y m 5U B d 0m on m 1 3 g 3 M mm 5 l 2. l mm A5 mm. mr cm a l|lp IIL r ||H s Patented Sept. 19, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTINUOUS FEED TUMBLING MILL Nathan Ransohofi, Cincinnati, Ohio, assig'nor to N. Ransohofi, Incorporated, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application J une 6, 1947, Serial No. 752,874

g This invention relates to continuous tumbling Conventional tumbling mills are usually of the batch type; that is, successive quantities of material are treated one after another. The principal objective of this invention has been to produce a tumbling machine capable of being operated continuously, receiving a feed of parts to be cleaned and abrasive fragments at one point,

and discharging cleaned parts continuously at another point whereby loading and unloading operations may occur with no loss in time available for cleaning and with a minimum of effort. In more particular detail, this invention contemplates a tumbling mill in which the rate of progrose of the work through the machine, and the rate of ejection of the work from the machine, conveniently may be controlled such that the v depth of work in the machine may be regulated to produce the most efiicient cleansing action in the least time, and the invention also contemplates a machine which will be self-cleaning or self-emptying whereby no manual effort will be required to remove all pieces from the barrel at the end of a prolonged continuous run after the infeed has been discontinued.

The only continuous tumblin mills available at present of which I am aware, consist essentially of a barrel mounted for rotation on an axis substantially horizontal, but pitched downward slightly to advance the parts through the barrel upon rotation of it. Unless such progress is impeded, the parts, however slight the pitch of the axis of rotation, move through the barrel so rapidly that they are only partly cleaned upon emergence. To impede the through-flow of the work and thereby obtain a desirable depth of work and abrasive fragments for increased tumbling and cleansing action, ithas been proposed to install one or more annular ring-like baffles in the barrel, which may serve to impound the work and thereby cause desirable accumulations of it; that'is, some of the parts at the top of a pile accumulated before a baille will fall over the baffle, proceed to the next accumulation adjacent the next baille, and so on,and thereby be subjected to greater abrasive action. However, when infeed is discontinued, an accumulation of parts will be restrained by each bafile and these must be shoveled or lifted out by hand. Moreover, the cleaning operation, at best, is inefficient and non- 9 Claims. (Cl. 51-164) uniform since some of the parts will be caught before a given baffle and will remain there throughout a run, however long the run will'be, and hence, will'be overtumbled and damaged, While other parts, by chance, advance along the tops of the piles and escape through the machine before they are properly cleaned.

This invention briefly comprises a tumbling barrel, an annular cone or ramp constituting a dam or obstruction effective to prevent free and uncontrolled endwise escape of parts from the machine, and a discharge controlling device or ejection operable in conjunction with the ramp and tumbling barrel for delivery of a predetermined quantity of parts from the barrel over the ramp to discharge at each revolution of the barrel. This discharge controlling device consists essentially of a vane of regulated or adjustable height positioned to deflect parts up the ramp to discharge upon barrel rotation, and the axis of rotation of the barrel is pitched to ad'- vance work and abrasive fragments toward the baffle or discharge'end of the apparatus by gravity upon drum rotation. The height of the vane controls the rate of discharge and may be varied conveniently to provide a depth of work-maintained continuously and automatically within the drum for most effective cleansing and abrasion thereof, depending upon the characteristics of the work and its size. This variable factor is coordinated with the pitch of the drum, also variable whereby the rate of advancement of parts through the drum toward the discharge end may be governed. Infeed, of course, may be governed by adjustment of the rate at which parts are fed into the apparatus; hence, the machine by simple regulation or' adjustment can be adapted to suit the proper depth of work to be maintained, or the time interval of tumbling required for proper treatment of a wide variety of parts.

The higher the discharge controlling'vane, the

greater will be the discharge from the apparatus, and therefore, the depth of work will be less. Conversely, if the vane is relatively low, the outfeed is reduced and a relatively higher level of work will be established and maintained. The" height of the vane readily may be controlled by the provision of an adjustable member or by cutting metal from the vane or welding it back'onto the vane to suit the work requirements, Since machines of this character are used continuously for relatively long runs to process tremendous tonnages of :parts of one size or character before,

parts of another size or character are to be treated, the effort and time of adjusting vane,

height by adding or removing metal to or from it with a welding torch is of no consequence and therefore, the invention is disclosed in this embodiment. i

Parts to be treated in a continuous tumbling mill usually comprise castings. from a. foundry containing adherent molding sand, fragments of metal, scale and dirt. To facilitate removal of such surface incrustations, the apparatus operated not only in conjunction with abrasive cleaning elements, but also in conjunction with liquids, for instance water, to facilitate removal. In accordance with the present invention, two fluid treating systems are employed; one effective for flushing the bulk of the loose dirt from the parts directly after they are introduced into the machine, and the other arranged to remove particles dislodged as abrasion continues. The fluid from the first and second treating cones is discharged separately to prevent recontamination.

From the foregoing discussion of the principles upon which the invention is predicated and the following detailed description of the drawings in which a typical embodiment of the improvement is illustrated, those skilled in the art readily will comprehend the various modifications to which the invention is susceptible.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation generally illustrating the improved tumbling mill.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line ,2.-2, Figure 1, illustrating the tumbling barrel and the means for rotatably mounting the barrel relative to the bed structure of the assembly.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 3-'-3, Figure 1, illustrating the sand and water discharge area, the work discharge vane or scoop and the separating chamber in which the abrasive particles are separated from the work piece.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4,

Figure 3, further illustrating the discharge scoop structure.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation detailing a work discharge vane. following the same spiral lead and contour but of one-piece curved construction.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6-6, Figure 4, further illustrating the discharge scoop.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional View similar to Figure 5 illustrating somewhat modified form of discharge vane in which arrangement the vane includes apertures and slots to separate the work from the abrasive pieces prior to discharging the work from the tumbling barrel.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic. plan view illustrating the complete system including the. tumbling barrel, star return conveyor, and washing system. by means of which the sand and water is separated and the Water recirculated to. the spray nozzles located inside the tumbling barrel;

In general, the apparatus shown in the drawrings comprises a tumbling barrel III having a work receiving end II and a discharge end I2. The barrel is rotatably mounted upon a bed'or foundation frame I3, being journalled upon roller units indicated generally at I I, at the forward and rearward end'of the machine. Bed I3 of the apparatus is supported at its forwardend upon a fulcrum bearing or hinge I5-and its rearward end is adjustably supported upon a jack I6 of any preferred design. In the form illustrated, the jack I6 is of the screw type andis utilized to raise or lower the rearward endof the assembly so as to varythe pitch of the foundation member I3 and tumbling barrel.- and in combination with the spiral vane and. cone to 75 4 control the rate of work passage through the ap paratus. In certain installations, afterpreliminaryexperimenta-tion to determine the required pitch, the apparatus may be mounted permanently on solid foundations.

The barrel III is rotated by means of an electric power unit generally indicated at IT, preferably including a gear reduction unit and having. a driving pinion I8 in mesh with a, large gear 28- which encircles the tumbling barrel approximately centrally of its length. The power unit I! is secured to' the bed unit I3 as at 2I and the pinion I8 is keyed to shaft 22 which is journalled in bearings 2323, one on each side of the pinion. The respective bearings are carried upon spacer blocks 24-24 which are secured to the frame I3 by means of bolts 25.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the tumbling barrel I0 is in the form of an elongated cylinder preferably having a series of flats and for this purpose is fabricated from fiat plates 26 welded together along their longitudinal abuttinguedges as at 21. This form of construction provides an agitating effect causing a thorough intermixing of the stars and the work pieces, as the barrel rotates, and thereby produces maximum efiiciency. In order to expedite fabrication and shipment, the barrel may be constructed in several sections, the sections being joined together at the flanged seams 28 by welding or by means of bolts.

The barrel I0 is provided with an annular ring 29 at its forward and rearward ends which provides a track or bearing surface to support the tumbling barrel upon the roller units Hi. The respective roller units are of duplicate construction and, as shown in Figure 2, the units are disposed in pairs on opposite. sides of the bed I3 so, as to cradle the tumbling, barrel between sets of rollers on opposite sides. Described in detail each of the roller units I4 constitutes a pair of rollers 3EI'--3Il journalled in pairs upon a rocker plate 3I which is fulcrumed at its center upon shaft. 32. Shaft 32 is journalled at opposite ends in bearing brackets or plates 33 which are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the rocker plate. 3I. The bearing plates 33 are welded or otherwise secured to the foundation or bed I3.

Each of the rollers 30 is rotatably journalled upon a shaft 35 mounted in bearing blocks 36 which are welded or otherwise secured to the rocker plate 3| at opposite ends thereof. The shafts 35 are approximately equally spaced on opposite sides of. the fulcrum shaft 32 so that the load imposed by the tumbling barrel I0 is equally divided on each side between two sets of rollers 30. The roller structure is duplicated on the opposite side of. the tumbling barrel so that the load imposed upon. ring 28 by the barrel is distributed among the four rollers 30 respectively atthe forward and rearward end of the machine. Longitudinal displacement of the barrel relative to the rollers isprevented by shoes or rollers 31 secured to the bed I3 and in bearing engagement against the opposite-sides of tracking rings 29.

The bed I3 upon which the respective roller units M are mounted, preferably is fabricated from structural steel channel members. The longitudinal side rails 38 preferably are formed of channel irons and arranged in pairs on each side, in opposed relationship with their respective webs welded together as at 40. A tubular unit 4I rectangular in cross secton of exceptional strength andrigidity is. thus provided.

The respective longitudinal side members. 4|

are appropriately spaced and joined in spaced relationship by means of a series of transverse structural steel members such as channel irons as indicated at 42. The bed structure preferably is welded together and forms a rigid but relatively light weight foundation suitable to sustain the tumbling barrel and to withstand the stresses and shocks imposed upon it in the operation of the apparatus.

The forward end of bed I3 is supported upon a a pair 43 which may be of concrete or the like and having a bearing bracket 44 mounted upon its upper end. A corresponding bearing bracket 45 is secured to the forward end of the bed l3 and the fulcrum or shaft is extended through the respective brackets to provide a hinged joint between the pier 43 and the bed Hi. It will be apparent, therefore, that adjustment of the jack it at the rearward end of the bed will regulate the pitch or inclination of the entire assembly.

Referring to Figure 8 illustrating diagrammatically the tumbling mill in conjunction with the star return conveyor and washing system, the return conveyor is indicated generally at 46 and the washing system generally at 41. Since the specific construction of the star return conveyor system does not form an essential part of the present invention, a generalized description of the conveyor system is believed to be sufficient. As shown, the conveyor includes a longitudinal conveyor run 48 having transverse runs 50 and 5| connected therewith at the forward and rearward ends of the tumbling barrel. The conveyor system operates continuously during the operation of the tumbling mill and as the work is in-' troduced into the receiving end I l of the tumbling barrel, a predetermined quantity of stars or abrasive fragments concurrently is introduced. As previously noted, the tumbling barrel rotates continuously and the work introduced at the receiving end slides longitudinally through the barrel due to gravity as the barrel rotates. By virtue of the continuous supply of stars conveyed forwardly by the conveyor system 45, a predeter mined amount of stars is introduced with the work and the work and the stars, therefore, progress together as a mass through the barrel until the mixture reaches the discharge end. At this point the work pieces and stars discharge into the separator drum '19, the stars are separated from the work pieces and conveyed back to the receiving ,end of the machine and the finished work pieces are discharged from the open discharge end of the separator drum.

Referring to Figure 3, detailing the discharge end of the tumbling barrel 10, it will be noted that the rearward end of the barrel includes a pair of oppositely facing cone frustums or sections forming a converging diverging passageway and providing a discharge opening 52. The forwardly facing cone 53 forms, in effect, a dam to provide a constant depth of work and abrasive and to prevent passage of wash water into the separator drum or chamberll9. The rearwardly facing cone 55 provides a discharge chute to cause the discharged work pieces to slide by gravity into the separating chamber 54. Cone section 55 therefore serves to prevent the relatively heavy work pieces from dropping directly from the opening 52 into the separating chamber. Therefore cone section 55 prevents excessive wear and damage or broken work pieces which may otherwise result due to the impact of striking the separating chamber.

The separating chamber49 preferably is cylindrical in form and is provided with apertures 55 of an appropriate size to permit the abrasive fragments to drop therethrough while the work pieces are retained in the chamber to pass longitudinally to the open discharge end 12 of the chamber. The forward end of the separating chamber is provided with a flange 51 which is welded or otherwise secured to the flange 58 formed at the rearward end of the tumbling barrel ill. The edges of the respective cone sections 53 and 55 preferably are welded as at 50 to the interior surface of the separating chamber.

In order to elevate the work pieces up the inclined surface of cone 53, the cone is provided with a scoop-like vane 52 which is welded to the cone 53 as at 62. The vane may generally be described as spirally arranged relative to the cone, and rotates as a part of the rotating tumbling barrel. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7 inclusive, the vane 6| may be fabricated in the form of a series of segments 63 welded together as at 64 along the several juncture lines while in Figure 5, a single piece structure of the same contour and lead is disclosed. The resulting structure constitutes a series of flat segments leading to the previously described opening 52 or as shown in Figure 5 a continuous curve leads to the opening. As shown, the forward or leading edge of the vane Bl extends forwardly into the tumbling barrel as at 65 so as to engage the work pieces as they reach the end of the barrel. Upon being engaged by the triangular shaped leading edge 55 of the rotating vane, the work piece is caused to roll progressively upwardly toward the opening 52 and to reach the opening during approximately one half revolution of the tumbling barrel.

As shown in Figure 6 the vane, in cross section, is disposed approximately at right angles to the interior surface of the cone section 53 so that the cone and vane combined form a spiral trough, V shaped in cross section. The casting or work piece is confined in this trough as indicated diagrammatically at 66 and slides or rolls along toward the opening 52 as the cone and vane rotate. As viewed in Figure 4, thebarrel is rotating in a clockwise direction as indicated, and the work pieces will travel longitudinally along the bottom area of the barrel in a position to be encountered by the triangular shaped leading edge 65 of the scoop, as indicated diagrammatically at 65 in Figure 5. It will be apparent that the work pieces tend to remain stationar due to gravity and therefore the vane and barrel rotate relative to the work pieces. Due to the spiral effect of the scoop, the work piece is elevated upwardly to the opening 52 of cone 53, and upon reaching th opening, rolls down the opposite cone 55 by gravity into the separating chamber.

With each work piece discharged, a quantity of stars or abrasive elements also will be discharged into the separating chamber or drum 49. Since the drum is rotating uniformly with the tumbling barrel, the work piece continues through to the discharge end of the drum and the stars are caused to drop through the apertures 56.

It will be apparent that the cone sections and discharge vane present a control unit which arrests temporarily the progress of the work pieces and abrasive elements through the barrel ID. The mass of material is obstructed or dammed up as it reaches the cone and on each revolution the vane engages one or more of the pieces, depending on size, and? discharges" the piece into the separator drum. The structure thereby aids in the final tumbling operation by causing a greater depth of stars and work in this area and causes a more thorough treatment. Since the vane picks up a limited quantity of work on each revolution the rate of discharge is controlled positively. By way of example, should the work pieces be of large size, the vane may pick up a single casting on each revolution and therefore the discharge of work would be limited to one piece per revolution.

' In practice, the vane height, indicated at 'A in Figure 6, is varied according to the depth of work and abrasive it is desired to maintain. If

the height of the vane is reduced, the depth of work and abrasive is reduced proportionately since the rate of discharg is reduced. In other words the small work pieces will pile upin the trough formed by the vane and several pieces will be discharged on each revolution. If the height of the vane is reduced the quantity of pieces discharged will be reduced. Due to the simplicity of design, this adjustment may be made by experiment upon installation of the machine. A maximum height vane may be installed originally and then gradually reduced by cutting away its inner edge with a cutting torch until the desired discharge rate and work depth is achieved or conversely the vane may be built up by welding additional metal thereto.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the separator chamber or drum 49 is enclosed by a casing or jacket 61 fabricated preferably from sheet metal. The jacket may be of sectional construction providing an upper section 68 and a lower section 69 joined together along a flanged seam 10. The lower jacket section 89 opens into a chute 13 into which the stars drop as they are separated from the castingsor work pieces in the separator chamber.

In order tosupport the jacket and chute, the bed is includes a tail piece H extending rear 'wardly beyond the jack I6 and the tail piece is provided with a series of vertical structural members 72 extending upwardly. Chute T3 is secured to the jacket along a flanged joint 14 and this flange rests upon and is secured to the upper ends of the vertical structural members 12 by welding or other means. Thus, the jacket assembly anddischarge chute are supported upon the tail piece H and the assembly is unitarily supported in operating relationship with the discharge chamber. The entire apparatus therefore is free to be adjusted as a unit to provide the required tumbling barrel pitch. The lower end of chute 13 is in communication with the star return conveyor by virtue of the transverse conveyor run so as to return the discharged stars to the intake end of the apparatus, as previously described. a

In addition to the star return conveyor system, the apparatus also is provided with a liquid rinsing system indicated generally at 41 in Figure 8. Similar to the conveyor system, the rinsing system is somewhat of conventional design and for this purpose is not illustrated in detail. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the tumbling barrel is provided with a pair of water discharge casings or collector jackets 75-15, located respectively at the forward and rearward ends of the barrel. 'These jackets are formed preferably of 'sheet metal similiar to jacket '8! and may be constructed in sections, the sections being joined together along upper and lower "flanged seams as indicated at 16 and, TI. The jackets preferably are mounted upon transverse channel irons 42 of bed I3 and the lower end. of each jacket communicates with a collector system ashereinafter described.

The. tumbling barrel in the area enclosed by the respective jackets 15-15 is provided with grilled openings 90 through which the water or washing solution is discharged. These openings maybe provided with bars 18 as shown in Figure 3 to prevent discharge of the stars, the bars, serving as strainers to permit the water and sand particles to be discharged from the tumbling barrel'but preventing discharge of stars or small work pieces. The lower ends of jackets 15 communicate respectively with collector chambers, not shown. The collector system is of conventional design and the collector chambers may discharge into a settling tank in which the solid particles settle out of the solution.

Referring to Figure .8, the settling tank or compartment is indicated diagrammatically at 19 and is located to one side of the tumbling barrel. The collector chambers preferably are provided with lateral discharge passageways opening into the settling tank 19 and the sand and other loose particles thus settle to the bottom of the tank. A sand conveyor, not shown, is adapted to remove continuously from the bottom of the tank 19 the bulk of the solid materials which settle out of the rinse solution. Tank '19 may include a sump 80 and pump 8l to draw the liquid from the sump and pass it under pressure through pipe line 82 to a second settling tank 83. From settling tank 83 the liquid under pressure is conveyed by a pipeline 84 which extends into the open end of. the tumbling barrel. A nozzle, indicated diagrammatically at 85,'is provided at the end of the pipe 84 to discharge a stream of relatively clear liquid to the interior of the barrel to provide the final rinse supply.

In order to provide the two-stage washing or rinsing system previously described, a by-pass pipe line 86 is'provided. This line opens into the line 82 to by-pass a quantity of the unsettled liquid and discharge it directly into the forward end of the barrel in advance of the forward discharge jacket 15. By-pass line 88 includes a discharge nozzle indicated diagrammatically at 81. The purpose of by-pass line 86 is to wash from the'castings the bulk of the loose sand and scale adhering to them and this mixture of liquid and solid immediately is discharged through the grilled openings 11 disposed within the forward discharge jacket.

To prevent this sediment saturated liquid from flowing through the entire tumbling barrel, a small annular ring 88 is mounted within the barrel slightly to the rear of the forward discharge jacket 15 as shown in Figure 1. This ring forms a dam to block the flow and causes the mixture of water and sand to be discharged immediately from the barrel through the forward discharge jacket 15. During the travel of the work through the remainder of the tumbling barrel a continuous supply of relativelyclear washing solution is supplied by the nozzle which extends beyond the first discharge jacket 15. Thus, after a preliminary wash which removes the loose particles, the particles later removed by abrasion are washed away during the second stage of the washing operation. This mixture of sand and water flows toward the rearward end of the discharge barrel thoroughly flushing the work pieces and is discharged at the second discharge jacket15' ust prior to discharge of the work, as shown in Fig-'- ure 3.

In operation the work may be supplied to the tumbling barrel l either by means of a conveyor or by hand according to the Working conditions involved. As previously noted, the height of the spiral vane and the degree of inclination of the apparatus determines the rate of feed and consequently the period of abrasive action to which the work is subjected. Upon entry into the receiving end I! of the barrel, the work pieces are preliminarily flushed to remove the loose particles and, by virtue of the rotation of the barrel, the work pieces are thoroughly intermingled with the abrasive fragments and the mixture passes longitudinally through the barrel in the presence of a stream of water, finally reaching the discharge scoop or vane 6|. At this point the stream of wash water discharges through the openings 90 and the work pieces are elevated by the scoop and discharged into the separating chamber 49, whereupon the stars discharged with the work are conveyed back to the receiving end and the cleaned and burnished Work pieces are discharged from the separating drum. In order to prevent discharge of water with the work pieces, the scoop is slotted as at 89 permitting water to drain back into the barrel [0 from the scoop.

It will be apparent that, after having been properly regulated, the operation is continuous and that each individual work piece receives a uniform treatment at a continuous efficient rate of production. If desired, the apparatus may form a part of a production line and the parts may be fed into and carried from the barrel by a conveyor to succeeding'work stations according to prevailing production line technique.

A scoop structure of somewhat modified design is illustrated in Figure '7. In this instance, the scoop BI is provided with apertures 9! in addition to slots 89 to permit the stars to be separated from the work pieces by the scoop. With the modified arrangement a constant depth of stars may be maintained within the barrel. Thus, as applied to certain classes of work, the star return conveyor either may be eliminated or may be utilized secondarily to return the small quantity of stars which may adhere to the work piece and separate from the work piece in the perforated drum 49 In the use of the perforated scoop, the forward cone 53 provides, in effect, a dam to maintain a predetermined level of stars as well as castings within the drum. In other words, due to the rotation of the drum, the stars will tend to assume a level similar to a liquid level relative age of the stars may be discharged by the scoop but that the bulk of the stars will remain in the barrel due to the damming effect of the cone 53.

The work size which the apparatus will accommodate is limited only by the size of the discharge opening 52. Therefore, in order to dis charge work pieces up to the maximum size, it has been determined that the height of the scoop should be equal approximately to one-half the diameter of opening 52. Upon installing the apparatus, the machine may be adapted to its particular class of work by altering the height of the scoop as previously noted. If the machine is intended for application to large size workpieces, the maximum scoop height may be utilized.

If desired, the scoop or vane Bl may be fabricated from a single plate of metal such. as a flats are eliminated.

The tumbling of work pieces, especially as applied to heavy castings, inherently involves shocks, stresses and vibrations of considerable magnitude leading to rapid deterioration if the tumbling apparatus is not properly designed. The discharge vane or scoop structure especially is subjected to concentrated wear since it encounters individually each casting and the casting tends to slide and scrape as it is elevated for discharge. Although of exceptionally simple design, it has been found that the scoop structure combined with the cone sections provides a discharge structure of maximum efiiciency and durability. By virtue of its rugged construction and spiral contour the points of concentrated Wear are distributed providing long life and troublefree service.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A continuous tumbling mill comprising, an elongated tumbling barrel means'for rotatably supporting the barrel upon an inclined axis for gradual advancement of parts through the barrel upon rotation thereof, a motor drive constructed and arranged for rotating the barrel, a conical ramp Within the barrel formed at a low point in respect to the incline thereof. said ramp constituting an annular baffle effective to prevent the free escape of parts from the barrel upon rotation thereof, and an ejector element associated with the ramp to convey a predetermined ouota of parts up the ramp for ejection from the barrel upon each cycle of rotation of the barrel.

2. A continuous tumbling" mill comprising, a

tumbling barrel rotatable about an inclined axis for gradual advancement of parts through the barrel upon rotation thereof; a conical ramp at a point of discharge in the'barrel, constituting an annular baffie effective to prevent the free escape of parts from the barrel, and an ejector element associated with the ramp to convey a predetermined quotabf parts up the ramp for discharge thereof from the barrel upon each cycle of rotation of the barrel, the height of said ejector relative to the ramp being proportioned to maintaina predetermined depth of work in the barrel impounded by said ramp,

3. A continuous tumbling mill comprising, a barrel rotatable about an inclined axis for advancement' of parts longitudinally through the barrel uponrotation thereof: a conical ramp constituting a bafile forre straining free escape of parts from the barrel and an ejector member in the form of a vane-"associated with said ramp and having a collector portion extending into the barrel, said ejector member, by its height, being effective toremove a predetermined quantity of parts from the barrel upon each cycle of rotation of the barrel while the remaining parts are impounded by said ramp within the barrel.

4. A tumbling mill comprising; an elongated tumbling barrel, means for rotatably supporting said barrel with the longitudinal axis of the barrel disposed at an inclined plane relative to a horizontal plane, said'barrel'hav'ing a work receiving end and'a discharge end and adapted to feed the work longitudinally therethrough at a rate determined by the inclination of the barrel, and a separator drum disposed adjacent the discharge end or said barrel andxadapted :to separate from thework pieces the abrasive fragments prior to theid-ischarge of'the work pieces from the separator drum and a return conveyor communicating with said separator :drum and the Work receiving end of the barrel to feed a supply of abrasive fragments into the barrel at a rate proportioned at the rate of work'feed.

"5. A tumbling mill comprising; an elongated tumbling barrel, a base forusaid-tumbling barrel, means on said base for rotatably mounting and driving said barrel, means for adjusting the angle of said base and tumbling barrel to regulate the rate of work passage through said barrel, a converging, diverging outlet passageway at the'discharge end of said barrel :and a spiral vane .secured to the converging portion .of said passageway and adapted to engage the work pieces sequent'ially and pass the pieces through said passageway, and a separating drum disposed adjacent said passageway and adapted to separate the abrasive elements from the work pieces.

6. A tumbling apparatus comprising an elongated tumbling barrel, means for rotatably mounting and driving said barrel, the barrel disposed on an inclined axis and adapted to pass a series of work pieces as'a mass longitudinally therethrough and adapted to cause agitation of the mass during its'passage, a liquid rinsing system including nozzles disposed within said barrel and adapted to rinse from the work pieces the loose particles therefrom, .said barrel having liquid discharge openings to discharge from the barrel the mixture of liquid and solid particles and a discharge passageway at the discharge end "of the barrel, said passageway providing a converging, diverging .cone section providing a discharge opening and adapted to prevent the passage of work pieces and water from'the barrel, and aspiral ejector scoop secured tatheconverging portion of the'cone sec-' tion and-being efiective to elevate a predetermined quota of work piecesfrom. the barrel to the :said discharge opening upon each rotation of the barrel.

--'7. A tumbling apparatus comprising anelongated tumbling barrel, -1mea-ns for rotatably mounting and driving said barrel, the barrel adapted to pass a series of work pieces and abrasive elements as a masslongi-tudinal-ly therethrough and --ada-ptedto cause agitation of the barrel, a spiral Vane element secured to the con verging portion of said passageway and adapted to elevate'the work pieces individually and pass the same through said'd-ischarge opening, said vane including openings to drain-back into the barrel the water and abrasive fragments picked up with the workpieces.

*8. A- tumbling apparatus comprising an in: clined elongated tumbling barrel, means for rotatably mounting and driving said barrel, said barrel having a work receiving end and a dis charge end, said receiving end adapted to receive Work pieces and'abrasive .elements and to feed the same as a .masslongitudinally through the :barrel ata rate determined by its inclination, :a conical ramp near'the discharge end of the barrel to restrain the free escape of Work pieces,.an ejector scoop mounted on the ramp and arranged tol'elevate anuantity of Work pieces'and abrasive elements'over' th'e ramp on each rotation :of the drum, "separating *me'ans at the discharge "end .of the barrel adapted totseparate said abrasive elements from 'saidwork pieces, means foricollecting sai'd discharged abrasive'elements, a return conveyor. adapted to deliver Lsai'd :discharged abrasive elements 'backto theintake opening of the tumbling :barrel' to permit "continuous "feeding of abrasive elements and work pieces through-the apparatus, and rinsing apparatus providing a plurality of rinse stations adapted'to flush continuou'sly from the'work pieces thesolid materials dislodged therefrom and to discharge the same from the tumbling barrel .at the rinse station.

'9. Atumbling apparatus comprising an elongated tumbling barrel, means formounting and rotating said barrel; the' barre'l "being adapted to receive workpieces and abrasive elements at one end thereof and 'feed the Work pieces and abrasive elements longitudinally throughthebarrel to the opposite end thereof, a rinsing system adapted "to remove "theparticles dislodged from said Work pieces including'apair of rinse treat ment stations disp'osed"withinsaid tumbling barrelyone of said stations located in the forward end ofthe'barre1 and adaptedto wash and discharge preliminarily the particles adhering to the "work pieces, 'a second rinsestation adapted to provide a final treatment, said stat-ion located i rearwardly of'said firstmehtioned station and ber, a main conduit line including a pump connected in series with both of 'saidchambers, aby pass conduit conne'cted'to saidmain conduit between said settling chambersto conduct a supply of preliminarily settled liquid tothe first of said rinsing stations, sai'd'main conduit extended to said second rinse stationto'l'conduct a supply of finally settledjfliouid 'to'the' second of said rinse stations] NATHAN RANSOHOFF.

- REFERENCES crrm) file of this patent:

- UNITED STATES -.PATENTS Number Name Date 1,647.763 "Aldeen' NOV. 1, 192? 1,702,759 Barber Feb. 19, 1929 1;7651291 Titge'n. June 17, 1930 2,020,447 Wilson Nov. 12, 1935 2,323,154 Ransohoff June 29, 1943 2,328,553 "'Hamren' Sept. '7, 1943' 2,390,011 Thompson Nov. 2'7, 1945 2,427,388 Curran Sept. 16, 1947 The following references are of record in the, 

